7 Significant Smart Building Technology Concepts And Overview

New tech is a valuable resource in optimizing a building’s resources and enhancing its security. Millions of people worldwide seem to have become highly aware of this. Especially those who are living inside a smart city. According to Statistics, the worldwide smart building business will develop rapidly in the following years, reaching $104.8 billion by 2024. These statistics suggest that the development of smart buildings is becoming more popular. People are almost entirely aware of the benefits that technology brings to buildings, such as how the functions of a smart building enable complicated operations to be performed quickly and increase security, amongst many other things. However, before looking into the benefits of a smart building, it is necessary to define what are smart buildings?

What Is Smart Building Technology?

A smart building is an example of a smart environment in action. As a smart building, a smart world is essentially the same as the IoT (internet of things). Both smart & IoT worlds have the same benefits, frameworks, and difficulties. There is a minor distinction between general IoT and a specific smart world. That is like a smart world often specifies the use of an IoT ecosystem in a specific application or market, in this example, a smart building. Smart buildings provide meaningful information about a structure or a single space inside it, allowing owners or renters to manage it better. Private residences, commercial buildings, workspaces, offices, industries, and warehouses are all examples of smart buildings. The words smart building & smart house are commonly used to refer to commercial facilities. However, the terms overlap because much of the capability is the same. Developing a smart building aims to save operating costs, increase comfort conditions, automate energy usage management, track the state of critical building assets, and fulfill industry worldwide rules and sustainability requirements. Smart buildings require complex IoT network monitoring that governs the building system to be functional.

Types Of Smart Building Technology

If you too are an AI enthusiast do read our latest post aiming at Artificial Intelligence — Unlocking The True Potential In Detail. It will shed some light on the recent developments in the AI domain. However, below, we have compiled a list of some amazing smart technologies.

1. Machine Learning & AI

Artificial intelligence, like the IoT, is a phrase that has lately gotten a lot of attention but is frequently misunderstood. AI is the procedure by which robots or software mimic human behavior and intelligence by gathering and applying data. This permits machine automation without the need for human intervention. Machine Learning (ML), which is frequently used alternatively with AI, is an approach for obtaining AI: it refers to the process through which a machine acquires knowledge or smart building technician.

2. AR (Artificial Reality)

AR (Augmented reality) is an alive, replicated image of an actual environment that includes machine sensory input. Augmented reality typically involves a sensor and displaying device like a laptop, computer, or even eyeglasses, putting a non-real item over a view of one’s real, physical environment.

3. IoT (Internet of Things)

Smart buildings operate on Internet of Things (IoT) systems; they’ve connected multiple devices through a common Internet Protocol (IP) platform to exchange and analyze information, optimizing each device’s controls automatically.

4. BIM (Building Information Modeling)

BIM (Building Information Modeling) enables you to capture facility data like blueprints, plumbing, emergency plans, and electrical systems in 3D and save it digitally for quick access by your personnel.

5. Building Automation

Building Automation is a broad infrastructure that enables centralized management of a building’s HVAC, security, lighting, and other systems. A BMS or BAS is a central digital or mobile hub that controls Building Automation.

6. VR (Virtual Reality)

VR applications, which were previously regarded as solely a game technology, are fast expanding. VR takes computer-generated technology a step further by isolating the viewer from the physical world and transporting them to a genuine, virtual environment.

7. Aerial Drones

Drones may provide intelligent building solutions within a building or retail area, taking over numerous regular or time-consuming chores and freeing up people to focus on more essential things.

List Of Smart Building Examples

The National Grid uses these monitoring sensors to give occupancy data to showcase how smart building characteristics may be employed in the real world. This enabled measures of consumption and capacity all through the facility, which aided in the implementation of a smarter workplace plan. The University of Technology, Sydney, used automatic smart building technology in education to integrate air-conditioning control with an online booking platform. As a result, considerable business expenditures were saved since the air conditioning was only triggered when the space was used.

1# Smart Building Components

Smart Building Analytics – The software that uses the information acquired by the devices is an important smart building feature. The software continually analyses the extensive data provided by sensors and assists in the determination of remedial measures for problems like equipment deterioration, inefficient scheduling, & inadequate maintenance procedures.

2# IoT Sensors

These sensors can be installed on devices or near a power supply. Sensors come in various forms and sizes that are used to monitor various outputs.

3# Connectivity

Sensors must be linked to the internet to examine and utilize the information. Cellular & WiFi-based connectivity systems are examples of connectivity & building technology solutions. Cellular-based apps are helpful since they do not disrupt routine operations.

4# User Interface

The UI is how data is given to the final user, even if they are on-site operators or asset managers in charge of many buildings. Although sensors capture vast data, smart building tech businesses have invested much in developing an understandable and actionable UI.

Why does Smart Building Technology Matter?

A smart environment is more important than most people think. Americans spend 90% of all days indoors, between home & work. Smart building technology assists building owners and also operators in maximizing profits and providing a better user experience. Unlike in industry, where technical failures mean lost income, technology in commercial property facilities such as apartments, offices, hotels, warehouses, and retail outlets is frequently maintained by manual & reactive operations.

(a) Digital Twin

A real-time digital representation is called Digital Twin. The principal application is for remote monitoring and management of formerly only available systems in person. 3D models and technology images are examples of this, which trained engineers may use to detect flaws remotely.

(b) Maintenance Prediction

Planned maintenance is one part of smart building technology that boosts performance and helps reduce unexpected downtime. Predictive models employ real-time data collected by equipment monitoring sensors to discover patterns and equipment issues before they occur. Predictive algorithms use massive volumes of data to uncover minor irregularities and trends that humans cannot detect.

(c) Energy Conservation

Building managers are under increasing pressure to decrease energy expenses. Building maintenance systems improve lighting & HVAC performance by obtaining relevant data from smart devices and meters. For example, sensor data always seemed to perform condition-based maintenance that may guarantee that equipment does not waste energy by operating. At the same time, the facility is empty or cooling when it is already chilly outdoors.

What Characteristics Does A Smart Building Have?

A smart building has the following characteristics:

A. Building System Integration

A contemporary building that incorporates cutting-edge technology links all of the machinery and components of a smart building. You may be alerted in real-time which means historical recordings of what occurred a few minutes, hours, or days earlier, allowing you to react to the building’s systems online in the case of emergencies.

B. Bringing People & Technology Together

Smart buildings enable individuals to use the most recent technology developments intuitively. Availability for the disabled, for example, with an automatic door that opens, monitoring devices, voice control, etc.

C. Keeping The Building’s Expenses Under Control

The use of technology to construct intelligent buildings helps users save money on various supplies like heating, lighting, and water.

D. Building Behavior Is Centralized

Everyone with access to a centralized platform may view the building’s behavior in a snapshot and make the required modifications. Lighting, power outlets, heating, appliances, air conditioning, doors, blinds, windows, DHW generators, irrigation, and other systems may be controlled and automated.

E. Connecting The Structure To A Smart Grid

Buildings will be more efficient and reliable in the following years. We will see them more able to forecast average temperature and constrict light based on their demands, including when the meter is cheaper. To this, we might add that the functions of a smart building provide several benefits.

What Are The Benefits Of Smart Building?

Smart buildings provide a great amount of useful building data regarding how they are used. Monitoring this data can provide insight into usage trends and patterns, allowing you to make educated decisions about how to improve your building, resulting in the following benefits:

(i) Increased Productivity

Providing a location that promotes appropriate indoor air quality, security, physical comfort, illumination, sanitation, efficient procedures, and the room employees require to function optimally will help them operate successfully. As a result, analyzing and comprehending how people utilize and move about your facility is critical to improving the physical architecture to optimize visited space while decreasing waste.

A practical example would be expanding the size of a congested high-traffic location. Smart buildings must no longer only focus on cost and energy savings. They must be efficient to benefit your employees. Implementing smart processes like meeting room & desk booking can decrease wasted staff time while also making your environment smart.

(ii) Decrease Energy Consumption

Smart buildings enable you to enhance your efficiency and, as a result, your energy expenditures. By adding IoT occupancy sensors to your smart building, you may automatically switch off lights and HVAC systems in empty rooms or areas, reducing the need for excessive energy usage.

(iii) Drop-In Operating Costs

Overhead costs are a substantial expense for any owner of the building. While these are required company expenses, the amount spent is frequently inefficient since it is not utilized sensibly. You may lower real estate expenditures by spotting trends surrounding unused spaces.

There are several advantages to implementing smart technology into a building, ranging from cost savings to improved environmental credentials. Smart buildings are relatively recent today, but they will quickly become the standard considering the numerous benefits they provide.

Techniques for Using Smart Building Technology

Without further delay, jump on to reading the next part as stated below – these are:

a) Aim Towards Automation

An essential element of a smart building is the interconnection of its main components. This defines a building as “smart” the capacity of its systems to communicate with one another. Integrating smart technology, like real-time building management & IoT occupancy sensors systems, allows you to exchange data that may be used to automate activities such as heating, lighting, ventilation, air conditioning, & security.

b) To Interact With Various Building Systems

The value of the unified smart building is greater than the largest of its parts since data is shared and integrated throughout building systems. Connecting IoT occupancy sensor information into a room booking platform, for example, means you may allow efficient management operations and offer a smart workplace for your employees by providing resources that recognize when they are free, booked, or occupied.

c) Helps In Saving The Space

Smart Buildings & real estate are frequently the second-highest investment for smart building technology companies (after pay & staff); thus, it is critical to ensure that the area you have access to is appropriately utilized. Sensors are an essential aspect of smart buildings because they collect data to judge where to manage money. For example, occupancy sensors could be installed into the building to offer information that will assist you in determining if your facilities have the suitable spaces to fulfill the needs of your workforce.

d) Support As A Preventive Measure

Because AI can learn odd usage patterns and inform you when they are recognized, it can assist you in determining whether an item requires repair. By gathering accurate digital information, including such people sensors, you can gain a more realistic view of how frequently a facility within the building is used, allowing you to take a much more method to control wear and tear, cleaning, and restocking, thereby extending the life of the equipment, furnishings, and appliances.

How To Use Data To Make A Smart Building App?

Understanding that only precise and trustworthy data can assist the transformation of your building into such a smart and effective premise is the key to success. Fundamentally, data identifying facility consumption supports the functioning of smart building technologies. The first step in gathering and evaluating this data is implementing smart building technologies like remote monitoring that note utilization statistics. When you have this information, you can find areas for improvement through either interaction with some other smart technologies & also building systems that allow automation or by supporting strategic decisions. The ideal solution can assist you in recording several forms of real-time usage statistics, like how people move about the space given, workstation and discussion boards’ consumption, and which locations have the most and least foot traffic. Don’t miss reading 10 Reasons Why AI And ML Are The Future Of Software Testing to better understand the techniques.